ASED
Helping young mothers and their babies in situations of extreme social exclusion.
Location
On the outskirts of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
Context
According to UNICEF, more than one in two girls under the age of 18, and one in ten under the age of 15, are in early marriage in Burkina Faso, and become teenage mothers. This has harmful consequences for their future and that of their babies, in particular by seriously damaging their education, health and general development (1).
Early and unwanted pregnancies also occur outside marriage, leading many young girls to be rejected and banished by their families.
Vulnerable and stigmatized, these young mothers are often left to fend for themselves in precarious situations that can even threaten their survival and that of their babies.
1.Reference Human Development Index (HDI) 2019
Partnership
Since 2006, SOS Fille/Mère, a Burkinabe association with a social, apolitical and non-denominational vocation, has set up a reception and accommodation center for girl-mothers and their children. In addition, capacity-building workshops in early childhood care and informal vocational training are offered.
Since its creation, the center has welcomed 178 girl-mothers – aged between 15 and 22 – and their babies, and has seen over 43 births. Year-round, the center receives girls brought in by local residents or associations. The center can accommodate 15 girls and their children, and their length of stay can vary from a few months to several years, depending on their circumstances.